About Us
Source: https://anthropology.cornell.edu/about Parent: https://anthropology.cornell.edu/guidelines-and-procedures-undergraduate-honors-anthropology
A long tradition of innovation and a legacy of leadership in the discipline
About Us
Cornell’s Department of Anthropology is one of the most respected programs in the world with a long tradition of innovation and a legacy of leadership in the discipline. The work of its faculty traces the human career from the emergence of the species to the contemporary global moment.
Explore Our Department
Collections
The Anthropology Collections include approximately 20,000 items representing human activity around the world from the Lower Paleolithic to the present. Archaeological and ethnographic materials are about equally represented.
Located in the basement of Olin Library (161 Ho Plaza), the Collections are open for visitors during the term on Mondays from 1-4 PM and by appointment on a first-come, first-served basis to classes and members of the public, including school groups. Contact curator Alison Rittershaus at akr73@cornell.edu in order to set up a visit that connects the collections with your group’s interests and learning goals. Rotating exhibit cases that showcase student research and Collections highlights are located outside of the Collaboratory and available to visit during Olin Library opening hours. Click here for more information on the Anthropology Collections.
A long tradition of research and learning
The Cornell Department of Anthropology, as a separate entity, was formed in 1962. However, anthropology has been practiced at Cornell nearly from the founding of the university.
The department history page details our rich past, including the) the and the cross-cultural methodology project.
Upcoming Events
Mar
09
Monday
04:30 PM
Reverse Anthropology
Cornell Cinema
Mar
13
Friday
03:00 PM
Anthropology Colloquium: Amelia Moore
120 Mary Ann Wood Drive B21
Mar
23
Monday
12:15 PM
“I am saying take the medicine”: Psychopharmaceutical Subjectivities in Contemporary Maldives
Uris Hall G08
Apr
10
Friday
03:00 PM
Anand Taneja - "Nest Upon Nest: Maulana Azad, Political Demonetization, and Muslim Persistence in India"
120 Mary Ann Wood Drive B21
Apr
20
Monday
04:30 PM
Collaborative Filmmaking; Indigenous Media
Cornell Cinema
Apr
24
Friday
03:00 PM
Anthropology Colloquium: Akihiro Ogawa
120 Mary Ann Wood Drive B21
Anthropology News
Cornell Center for Social Sciences names 2026-27 Faculty Fellows
3/04/2026
The Cornell Center for Social Sciences has selected 10 faculty members, including several from A&S, as 2026–27 Faculty Fellows, providing course release and funding to support interdisciplinary social science research with real-world impact.
Daniel Gold, professor of Asian studies emeritus, dies at 78
2/26/2026
Daniel Gold, a professor of Asian studies emeritus in the College of Arts and Sciences, died on Feb. 16 in Ithaca. He was 78.
College of Arts and Sciences announces 2026 Klarman Fellows
2/04/2026
The 12 early-career scholars will pursue research in the sciences, social sciences and humanities.
Fossiles to fortepianos: The Hill's 'mini-museums' and collections
1/23/2026
The next time you visit Ithaca, check out exhibits on Chimes history, astronomical instruments, historical keyboards and so much more\
Your January 2026 reads
1/20/2026
This month’s featured titles include poetry, an anthropologist’s memoir, and a chronicle of the Nazi’s massive looting of European artworks. \
Book explores ‘modernity and malevolence’ in Indian clinical care
12/16/2025
The book shows how patterns of psycho-social stress combined with modernity’s pressures can influence psychiatric practice.
Doctoral Alumna Selected for CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award
12/11/2025
Dusti Cheyenne Bridges, Ph.D. ’25, was selected for the Council of Graduate Schools/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award in the humanities and fine arts.
Yvette Reyes is Awarded the Freedman Award to Conduct Powerful Research on Literacy and Learning
11/20/2025
Yvette's research explores how college students make sense of their early and ongoing literacy experiences.